Results 5,021-5,040 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: We have increased the maximum grant under the town and village renewal scheme to €500,000. Last year, there was €27 million under the scheme. As I said, it is a ground-up approach. We put a focus on improving streetscape. There have been grants for businesses to do up their premises, put on the traditional shopfront, paint the building and put in some outdoor dining spaces....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Rural Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for asking this question. Introduced in 2016, the town and village renewal scheme is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since its launch, over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects supporting towns and villages the length and breadth of the country. As committed to in Our Rural Future,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Policies (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: Our Rural Future commits to developing an effective rural proofing model to ensure that significant new proposals fully consider the perspective of rural communities. To advance this measure, my officials commissioned a research report on rural proofing which was published in January 2023. It outlines options that could be applied in the Irish context and assesses the merits and potential...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the deputy may be aware, the current contract for the heavy cargo service for the Roaringwater Bay islands and Cape Clear was agreed in July 2021 and makes provision for 58 sailing days per year of its term. The agreed level of service was based on service usage in previous contracts, as well as taking into account representations made by island communities and groups during the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Programmes (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The LEADER programme, a key intervention of Our Rural Future, promotes a community-led approach that involves the participation of local communities in developing responses to key economic, environmental and social challenges. Using this approach LEADER emphasises the centrality of rural communities to the programme. The programme is delivered by Local Action Groups in 28 sub-regional...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the development of piers on Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr rests with Galway County Council. Officials from my Department meet regularly with members of Galway County Council to monitor progress of the development of the piers. So far in 2023, a total of 14 meetings have been held, typically every fortnight with minutes kept of each...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Statement of Strategy 2023-2025 for the Department of Rural and Community Development was published in August and is available on the Departments website. Publication followed an extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. This process has reaffirmed much of our existing strategic mission and approach, and in many ways, this strategy is an extension of what has come...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, the Dursey Island Cable Car service is wholly owned and operated by Cork County Council and they are ultimately responsible for all aspects of the service. Cork County Council provides the day to day management of the service and also sets the terms and conditions under which the service is delivered. The council is also responsible for setting a schedule of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: No breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland. However, the relevant legislation in this area, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, S.I. 442/1998 set out additional requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Priorities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The core mission of my Department is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities. My Department is responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country, not...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: My Department fully supports the roll out of the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan and is currently examining what Apprenticeship schemes would be appropriate to take part in. The Department of Rural and Community Development places a lot of importance on programmes which can provide pathways for people in marginalised groups to join the workforce. For example, two WAM...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Vacant Properties (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Town Centre First Policy is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland which is integral to our national economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing and development. While the Town Centre First policy approach is designed to...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Schemes (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. With this in mind, my Department has put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR,...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Regeneration Projects (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 215 projects have been approved for funding of €409 million for projects costing €560 million. The Youghal Public Library project was awarded funding of €4,048,511 under the third Call for...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: During 2022, a number of serious dog attacks on people and livestock occurred, causing significant public concern in relation to the issue of dog control. Minister McConalogue and I requested our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues. The group published a report containing a number of recommendations in March of this year. Recommendation 14 of the working group...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Control of Dogs (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: During 2022, a number of serious dog attacks on people and livestock occurred, causing significant public concern in relation to the issue of dog control. Minister McConalogue and I requested our officials to convene a working group on control of dogs issues. The group published a report containing a number of recommendations in March of this year. Recommendation 14 of the working group...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands: the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of this year. Our Living Islandsis a substantial document – a ten year policy which will be backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account. Monitoring implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Island Communities (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy will be aware, Our Living Islands: the National Island Policy 2023-2033 was launched in June of this year. Our Living Islandsis a substantial document – a ten year policy which will be backed up by rolling three year action plans. It has time-bound commitments so that Departments and agencies across Government can be held to account. Monitoring implementation of the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Community Development Projects (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. With this in mind, I have put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Community Development Projects (26 Sep 2023)

Heather Humphreys: This Government recognises the important role that community centres play in community life in Ireland, particularly in bringing people together and engaging with those who may be marginalised or disadvantaged. With this in mind, I have put in place an integrated programme of supports for the establishment and development of community centres across schemes such as CLÁR, LEADER, the...